UNC System Happenings for Feb. 15, 2016

A lone wolfpack

N.C. State University will stop Keuka College from using its mascot, the Wolfpack, at the end of this school year due to its infringement on N.C. State's trademark.

Keuka College, a small liberal arts college in the New York state with around 900 students, changed its team mascot from the Storm to the Wolfpack in 2014.

N.C. State spokesperson Mick Kulikowski said in an email that N.C. State adopted the unique mark, Wolfpack, dating back to 1921 and has maintained a federal registration since 1983.

“When we learned about the new use of Wolfpack by Keuka College, N.C. State staff reached out them to explain the situation and ask the college to stop using the trademark,” Kulikowski said.

Keuka College has agreed to stop using the mark after a trademark infringement lawsuit threat from N.C. State.

UNC-Asheville makes large impact

UNC-Asheville has been ranked No. 1 in the Princeton Review’s 2016 list of “Best Schools for Making an Impact.”

“We are quite pleased to receive recognition for something that’s been a very standard practice throughout our curriculum for many years,” said Joseph Urgo, UNC-Asheville’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Urgo said the liberal arts curriculum at UNC-A is not limited to the classroom, and the classroom is the base of operations for many projects. These projects make students connect to the city of Asheville and the local surrounding counties.

For example, in creative fabrication class, art and engineering students team up to develop assistive technology devices such as an all-terrain cane for people with disabilities.

The Princeton Review selected schools for the list based on the return on investment the schools had for their communities. This was calculated based on 40 data points, such as cost, student debt and alumni salaries.

N.C. A&T’s marching band performed in Mardi Gras parade

The Blue and Gold Marching Machine, N.C. A&T's marching band, made an appearance at the Rex Parade in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

The band, which comprises more than 200 members, was accompanied by N.C. A&T staff and chaperones who participated in the parade on Feb. 9 and returned to North Carolina the next day.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for the A&T Blue and Gold Marching Machine to perform on another world class stage,” said Melody Pierce, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, in a press release.

The Rex Parade has been a part of Mardi Gras since 1872. During the daytime festivities, Rex, or the King of Carnival, greets his city and his subjects.

UNC School of the Arts goes to the academy

Five graduates from UNC School of the Arts were involved in films nominated for the 2016 Academy Awards.

Two School of Drama graduates, Will Rogers (2004) and Billy Magnussen (2007) were featured as Frederic Pryor and Doug Forrester, respectively, in “Bridge of Spies.” Jake Lacy (2008) acts as Richard Semco in “Carol,” — both films received six nominations.

Two School of Filmmaking graduates Will Files (2002) and Alex Nomick (2015) worked on “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “The Revenant,” respectively, which were both nominated for Best Sound Editing. 

“Every class they take, whether it is acting, sound design, cinematography or a humanities course, is geared toward preparing them for life as a practicing artist,” said UNC School of the Arts spokeswoman Lauren Whitaker in an email.